Slip ratio point optimization system and method for vehicle control

1. An optimal tire slip ratio estimation system comprising: a vehicle supported by at least one vehicle tire mounted to a hub, the vehicle tire having a tire cavity and a ground-engaging tread, and the tire having a plurality of tire-specific measureable parameters; a tire-affixed tire-identification device for providing an electronic tire-specific identification; a plurality of tire-affixed sensors mounted to the tire operably measuring the tire-specific parameters and generating tire-specific parameter information, the tire-specific parameter information including: a load estimation for the one vehicle tire, a measured temperature of the one vehicle tire, a measured air pressure within a cavity of the one vehicle tire, and a wear estimation for a tread region of the one vehicle tire; and a model-based optimal slip ratio estimator operable to generate a model-derived optimal tire slip ratio estimation from an assessment of the tire-specific parameter information relative to the electronic tire-specific identification.

2. A method of making an optimal tire slip ratio estimation comprising: mounting at least one vehicle tire to a vehicle, the vehicle tire having a tire cavity and a ground-engaging tread and the tire having a plurality of tire-specific measureable parameters; affixing to the one vehicle tire a tire identification device providing an electronic tire-specific identification; mounting a plurality of tire-affixed sensors to the tire operably measuring the tire-specific parameters to generate tire-specific parameter information; inputting the tire-specific information into a model-based optimal slip ratio estimator; and generating a model-derived optimal tire slip ratio estimation by the model-based optimal tire slip ratio estimator from an assessment of the tire-specific parameter information relative to the electronic tire-specific identification, wherein the tire-specific parameter information includes a load estimation for the one vehicle tire; a measured temperature of the one vehicle tire, a measured air pressure within a cavity of the one vehicle tire, and a wear estimation for a tread region of the one vehicle tire.

3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising substantially continuously updating the model-derived optimal tire slip ratio estimation during an operation of the vehicle to adjust for changes in the tire-specific information.

4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising using the updated optimal tire slip ratio estimation in at least one control system of the vehicle.

5. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising utilizing a vehicle-based accelerometer signal to generate the load estimation for the one vehicle tire.

6. The optimal tire slip ratio estimation system of claim 1 , wherein the model-derived optimal tire slip ratio estimation is substantially continuously updated during an operation of the vehicle.

7. The optimal tire slip ratio estimator according to claim 1 , wherein the load estimation input into the model-based optimal tire slip ratio estimator operably calculates a load estimation based upon a vehicle-based hub accelerometer signal.

8. The optimal tire slip ratio estimation system of claim 6 , wherein the updated model-derived optimal tire slip ratio estimation is operably utilized in at least one control system of the vehicle.